Manchester United have officially slammed the door shut on any possibility of selling their talismanic captain, Bruno Fernandes, this summer.
Despite intense, looming interest from the heavy-spending Saudi Pro League and several elite European giants, the Old Trafford hierarchy has taken an uncompromising stance on the midfielder’s future.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Red Devils have aggressively initiated contract extension talks to lock down the Portuguese maestro. United’s management is moving with absolute urgency to neutralize a dangerous £57 million (€65 million) release clause embedded in his current agreement—a figure heavily considered below market value for a player of his caliber.
Rewarding the Premier League’s Ultimate Player
Initial discussions between club officials and Fernandes’ representatives took place recently, with both sides completely aligned on moving forward together. The 31-year-old midfielder’s current contract is set to expire in June 2027, but United want to reward him with an improved, long-term package that reflects his irreplaceable status.
The decision to secure Fernandes comes on the heels of a truly historic individual campaign. The former Sporting CP star was officially crowned the Premier League Player of the 2025/26 Season after leading the club out of a mid-season crisis and back into a coveted third-place Champions League spot.
Even more impressively, Fernandes broke the Premier League’s all-time single-season assist record by registering a staggering 21 assists, eclipsing the legendary milestones previously set by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.
Preserving Core Leadership at Old Trafford
With long-serving Brazilian midfielder Casemiro heavily tipped to leave Old Trafford this summer, manager Michael Carrick and the United board view keeping Fernandes as completely non-negotiable.
Losing a second core leadership figure from the dressing room during a massive summer squad rebuild was deemed an unacceptable risk. By opening these renewal talks early, Manchester United are sending a loud and clear message to the rest of world football: their captain is absolutely not for sale.
